Teen fun-seekers flock to twilight zone (From The Northern Echo)

Teen fun-seekers flock to twilight zone

7:05pm Tuesday 8th December 2009

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HUNDREDS of teenagers are clamouring to step into the twilight zone, when a refurbished city centre theme pub reopens as a music venue.

Interest appears high among the 13 - 17-year-old bracket for the first alcohol-free teen disco night at the revamped former Walkabout premises, in Durham’s North Road.

Police and city centre promoters hope the event proves a success and will pave the way for further teen nights to provide entertainment for the immediate pre-pub age span.

Boards were being removed today from the refurbished former Australian theme bar, which was previously home to the city’s Robins Cinema.

It will become what leisure group ULG claim to be Durham’s only dedicated rock venue in the New Year.

But its initial event, on Friday, will be the first of what is hoped to be a regular teen disco, aimed at the 13 - 17-year-old market.

The premises, which has been boarded up since May, has a capacity of around 900.

ULG managing director said he hopes the premises fills a Gap in the market" for the staging of such events.

Durham City’s Chief Inspector, Colin Williamson, said Friday’s event should prove, "excellent for young people to enjoy themselves and not hang about on the street."

Carol Feenan, city centre co-ordinator for Durham County Council, hopes it will be packed for Friday’s event, which runs from 7 - 10pm.

Billed as "Twilight, a full moon ultra violet party", it is backed by the police, the county council, the National Health Service, and features TFM radio breakfast presenter Wayne Allen, as DJ for the night, with the Bad Taste Crew break dancers.

Ms Feenan, who oversees Durham’s Best Bar None scheme, said it should provides a forum for local young people to enjoy themselves in safe surroundings.

"There’s been a lot of interest and we’re hoping it is just about a full house.

"We’ve had a van in the Market Place promoting ‘Twilight’, selling tickets since Saturday and it will remain in place until Friday on the run up to the start of the event."

The charge is £5, with £1 from the sale of each ticket going to the Help for Heroes military charity.

Tickets can be bought from the promotional van from 4- 7pm daily, up to Friday

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